Ryanair reports Q3 loss of 20m euros

Low-cost airline Ryanair has reported a third quarter net loss of 20 million euros ($A31.6 million), blaming a decline in average fare prices.

The airline said on Monday it carried 32.7 million passengers in the three months ending on December 31, an 8-per-cent increase on the same period last year, while revenue increased by 9 per cent to 1.53 billion euros.

However the increases were offset by rises in fuel, staff and compensation costs.

"While a 20-million-euro loss in Q3 was disappointing, we take comfort that this was entirely due to weaker than expected air fares so our customers are enjoying record low prices, which is good for current and future traffic growth," Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said.